Whether it’s a skill assessment, a midterm essay, or an end-of-semester reflection, students benefit from regular opportunities to write. These activities help them deepen their
Read more
Student guide to artificial intelligence
As we gear up for the spring semester, the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL) is excited to highlight a timely new resource designed
Read more
“Fold in the cheese” teaching: Why students need more than vague advice
“What does that mean, fold in the cheese?” If you’ve ever seen Schitt’s Creek, you know the scene: David and his mother Moira are trying
Read more
Blackboard’s new look for 2026!
On January 8, 2026, a few areas of Blackboard will receive a visual refresh. These changes will be part of the Blackboard January update and
Read more
Congratulations to our Fix Your Content Day 2025 accessibility champions!
This year’s Fix Your Content Day was a powerful demonstration of what our campus community can accomplish when we come together with a shared purpose.
Read more
Demystify the hidden curriculum of letters of recommendation
Letters of recommendation are often the silent gatekeepers of opportunity. They can open doors to jobs, internships, scholarships, graduate programs, and professional schools. Yet, for
Read more
Building strong collaborative learners
It’s natural for students to feel hesitant about working in groups—juggling communication, responsibilities, and schedules isn’t easy. Yet collaboration is a powerful skill that supports
Read more
The superpower of faculty and instructional designers working together
Someone said you’re an SME, but what does that even mean? In the instructional design field, our faculty are highly regarded subject matter experts (SME).
Read more
Dr. Brianno Coller, Presidential Teaching Professor Seminar: Learning the right way to ride the wrong bicycle
What does it mean to teach well? For Dr. Brianno Coller, Distinguished Teaching Professor in Mechanical Engineering at Northern Illinois University (NIU), it means embracing
Read more
Holding space for compassion: Trauma-informed teaching in an era of immigration crackdowns
As educators, we often talk about creating an effective learning environment in our classrooms—but what does that look like when students are living through trauma
Read more
Office of Online Learning launches “Wellness Wednesday”
At NIU, we know that student success extends far beyond the classroom, and for our online Huskies, connection and well-being are central to thriving in
Read more
Building resilient learners: Turning self-doubt into student success
When I first arrived in the U.S. as an immigrant from Vietnam, I barely spoke English. So I got to work and found myself sitting
Read more